SLLP Project Development Pro Forma Name of Project 17. Gateways to the Landscape A collection of confusing informational signs at the gateway to Langsett Reservoir, C. Watts Sponsoring partner organisation SLLP Core Project & 17. Gateways to the Landscape (Reducing Barriers and main contact Increasing Knowledge and Understanding) 150 word summary “But there are no signs, how does anyone know what not to do?” Emmet, Lego Movie 2014, Warner Bros This project draws on the recommendations of the Gateways and Access to the Landscape Appraisal undertaken by ORRG in 2017 to increase the accessibility of the landscape by increasing knowledge and understanding and reducing lack of confidence as a significant barrier. Gateways to improving landscape accessibility can be informational and physical jumping off points. In order to develop a range of interventions, the potential gateways have been divided into 5 categories: A Highly used recreational hubs e.g. Redmires B Locally important gateway sites e.g. Wadsley and Loxley Common C Public transport gateways e.g. Malin Bridge D Gateways to information – such as libraries, cafes and pubs or online such as the Walkers are Welcome websites. E Gateways to confidence – e.g. groups which specialise in short, accessible walks for new walkers e.g. Walking for Health Stannington. This project will: 1. Increase knowledge of existing access opportunities in Sheffield Lakeland by joining up the availability of pre- visit information, improving on site orientation and using signage to improve visitor experience whilst protecting important and sensitive heritage locations. 2. Work with land managers, interest groups and other stakeholders to agree a common set of values and management approaches to protect the heritage of the most popular recreational hubs. 3. Widen audience participation by supporting the development of the existing network of access groups and directly providing targeted outreach workshops. 4. Design new interpretation of the stories of the landscape to increase understanding and deepen engagement with the heritage of the area. Full project description Gateways to the Landscape: (Reducing Barriers and Increasing Knowledge and Understanding) The city of Sheffield is home to around 600,000 people and with a third of the local authority boundary falling within the Peak District National Park, prides itself on being the `outdoor city`. The area is much loved by sports enthusiasts – whether rock climbing, off and on road cyclists, fell runners and ramblers. The tradition of hill walking in the area pre-dates the 1932 Kinder Mass Trespass and is beautifully documented in the Clarion series of guides. More recently, the area has become a hub for road cyclists keen to test their abilities against landmarks such as the Côte de Wigtwizzle and Côte de Ewden Heights which featured in 2014 Tour de France. In 2017, Sheffield Hallam University’s Outdoor Recreation Research Group, (ORRG), was commissioned to investigate the potential to broaden the accessibility of the Sheffield Lakeland area to people who are not already sports enthusiasts and to identify real and perceived barriers to the accessibility and enjoyment of the landscape. This project draws on the recommendations of that report, the whole of which can be found in Appendix X: Access and Gateways to the Landscape Appraisal. The report found that it is the combination of cultural and natural heritage which makes the area so special for both local people and city dwellers, combined with the fact that Sheffield Lakeland is not well known outside of Sheffield – a secret part of the national park which is bypassed by most day-trippers. The report further identified that there was an opportunity to harness this local distinctiveness, through further interpretation, in order to add to people's understanding and enjoyment of the area, and reinforce their engagement and connectedness. Many local groups are already active in recording wildlife and history and sharing the heritage and stories associated with the landscape. The report recommended, therefore, that the SLLP should focus on working collaboratively with existing groups to enable a broader range of people to enjoy the area’s unique sense of place and its connection to the development of Sheffield as a city. This approach will additionally conform to the main local authorities' (Sheffield City Council and the Peak District National Park Authority) own aspirations, alongside other significant partners, such as Yorkshire Water. ORRG undertook a wide ranging primary survey of users on- site, users and non-users at key destinations in the landscape, at community events and with the general public through an online survey. The online survey was not targeted specifically to user groups, but promoted via generic public forums, to encourage non-users to respond. There were a total of 1,026 responses to the survey. Some of the more significant findings are reproduced below, with the full findings in Appendix X. INSERT Pie chart how often / type of recreation and bar chart of main things that stop you visiting the landscape In terms of barriers, the survey found a clear distinction between people who already access the landscape / natural environment, who do not experience any barriers, and those who are impeded by a lack of information / awareness and clarity about where to go and what to do. The two greatest barriers are related to a lack of information and understanding: I don't know where to go - 283 respondents (29%) I'm not sure what I'm allowed to do there - 170 respondents (17%) In the survey, women were 3 times more likely to provide the above responses than men. Women were also more likely to report “not feeling safe” or “not having to someone to go with” as barriers to access. Sheffield Lakeland is a varied landscape and in order to tailor interventions, gateways to increasing access to heritage in the Sheffield Lakeland landscape have been divided into 5 categories which will help structure how we support access to the landscape: A: Highly used recreational hubs Highly used recreational hubs providing access to the wider landscape which require joined up management strategies between multiple interest groups to mitigate the impacts of conflicting uses. This category covers: - Redmires / Wyming Brook - Damflask / Bradfield - Langsett B Locally important gateways These locations are well used and loved by regular users, but often with unrecognised biodiversity or heritage importance and not widely known outside the immediate community. This category covers: - Wadsley and Loxley Common - Glen Howe Park - Oxley Park /New Hall Wood These locations are nearer to residential areas than the gateway hubs and are popular local dog walking and family recreation sites. Although smaller that the larger recreational hubs, they have strong local stories, significant wildlife and attractive landscapes and offer a “taste of Sheffield Lakeland”. These locations have some limited car parking, but more importantly provide direct access out into the Sheffield Lakeland landscape from built up areas via the public rights of way network. C Public transport gateways The ORRG research confirmed that car parking at peak times in popular destinations in the Sheffield Lakeland is a significant problem. Farmers reported difficulties accessing their field gates, due to inconsiderate car parking and vulnerable road users such as horse riders and cyclists reported that road safety concerns were a significant barrier to the accessibility and connectivity of the area. It is important therefore to make the most of the existing public transport gateways, namely: - Malin Bridge Tram Stop and Park and Ride - Middlewood Tram Stop and Park and Ride - Bus turnaround, Low Bradfield D Information gateways The ORRG research identified that a lack of information about where to go and what activities were permitted remains one of the most significant barriers to access to the Sheffield Lakeland landscape, particularly amongst less frequent countryside users. The research indicates a strong tendency to stick to tried and tested routes. The project will make use of a wide range of information gateways such as libraries, cafes and pubs e.g. Bank View Café at Langsett (aka the Spotty Café) and online resources such as the Bradfield Walkers are Welcome website and walks apps. E Support gateways There are a number of groups already working to support access in the area, going beyond provision of information to providing support and encouragement. These range from the Stocksbridge and Bradfield Walkers are Welcome groups, which develop and promote new routes and lead walks in the 5-10 mile bracket, to groups such as Walking for Health, Stannington which supports people taking up walking for the first time and Pedal Ready which teaches cycling skills to adult novices. Activities: All staff costs are held in project 1, The Core 1. Gateways to information "… good push chair friendly routes and knowing where to go, so we don’t get stuck part way…" 1a) Signage audit and new orientation at gateway sites At some locations, signage has proliferated, resulting in a confusing array of advice, regulation, orientation and interpretation as in the photograph above. The result is no- body reads anything. A signage audit will be undertaken at gateway sites and new orientation and waymarking provided in the form of new ‘gateway signs’ for the Sheffield Lakeland Landscape Partnership in a common style. These will be image / icon led with a simple map illustration and using Easy Read standard text, supported by on-site waymarking to identify the: The landscape area and “where you are now”. The location of other gateway sites. A simple (e.g. Wheely Easy Walk) that can be followed to get a taste of this part of the landscape, particularly to take in a key point of interest. Where applicable a circular or linear route linking to another gateway or specific cultural walk. Contact details for the SLLP website and recognition of HLF support.